Parasites influence the physiology and personality in a small mammal ( <i>Ochotona curzoniae</i> )

This study provides evidence that <i>Eimeria</i> spp. load modulates the behavior and physiology of plateau pikas. The specific behavioral shifts coinciding with peak infection, coupled with the suppression of thyroid hormones and metabolic responses, reveal a complex and integrated host adaptation strategy. As a keystone species on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the behavior-physiology coupling mechanism in plateau pikas not only provides new evidence for host-parasite coevolution, but also offers critical insights into understanding the stability of regional ecosystems.